Brick handling hoist



June 30, 1931. R, A FONTAINE 1,811,924

BRICK HANDLING HoIsT' Filed May 2, 1929 sheets-sheet 1 n' M 'n.51 ifa," 4. if, 1;, 1.

lim Y 1 E5 Eff? @511 Patented J une 30,` 1931 ROBERT' A. FONTAINE, OF

IVIABTINSVILLE, VIRGINIA BRICK HANDLING I-IOIST Application filed May 2,

The invention relates to hoisting apparatus for handling bricks, blocks or the like, and has for its general object the provision of a novel carrier adapted to be engaged with a hack or stack of bricks for the purpose of lifting the same about in intact condition so that the stack maybe deposited at any desired point, or dumped if desired, the device being of particular advantage not only in brick yards or the likebut also in loading bricks onto cars, trucks, boats' and the like.

An important objectofthe invention is to provide Van apparatus of this character includ-ing means adapted to be positioned beneathl the lowermost layer of bricks in a stack supported upon auxiliary bricks, blocks, bars or the like, or which may be laid upon the ground or floor so that a stack of bricks may be assembled over it, or deposited over it, this means serving as a guide for insur ing proper positioningof the hoisting device or carrier with respect to the stack.

Another object of the invention is to provide the combination of a hoisting device -of fork-like form and a relatively stationary guide for assisting in the engagement of t-lie hoisting device with the stack of bricks when thesame is to be lifted', the guide device also functioning in the reverse manner when' a stack is to be deposited, and being addition ally useful in assisting in the preparation of the auxiliary supporting means, extra bricks, blocks, etc., upon which the stack itself is to rest.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of this character in which the fork-like carrier may be equipped with spring means acting, when the carrier is empty, to upset its center of gravity inY such manner that it will be in proper position to enter beneath a stack, the spring means further at least partially counterbalancing the weight of the stack so that the carrier may more readily be disengaged from a deposited stack.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a carrier having means thereon for attachment of hoisting cables therewith 'at selected points depending upon whether a stack is to be carried intact or dumped.

1929. serial No. 359,915.

An additional object is to provide an apparatus of this character which will be simple and inexpensivev to manufacture, easy and convenient to use, positive in action, etticient and durable in service, and a general im provement in the art.

To the attainment of the' foregoing and' other objects and advantages, theinvention preferably consists in the details of construction and the arrangement yand combination of parts to be hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated inV the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure l is a side elevation ofthe complete apparatus showing the combination of the carrier and the guide in operative relation to a stack to be lifted,

Figure Q'is a similar view showing the stack.. lifted by the carrier,y i

VFigure 3 is rear elevation of the carrier and also the guide device showing them associated witha stack of bricks,

l Figure A1-is a horizontal cross section taken on the line l-4 of Figure l,

Figure 5 'is a vertical crossl section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure el,

Figure 6 isa perspective view of the carrier, and. l

YFigure 7- is a perspective view ofthe guide therefor, onlya portion thereof being shown.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the letter A designates a stack of' bric-ks supported upon rows of auxiliary bricks, blocks or the like B, as is common practice in the brick industry. The rows of auxiliary bricks are spaced apart andare intended to `:be so positioned with respect to the lowermost layer of bricks in the stack as to be in-A termediate the joints. Of course the auxiliary bricks B maybe replaced by blocks or 0 bars and it is alsofeasily possible that the stack maybe built up on a pallet provided at its underside with cleats. `This is not 'shown as it is so old and wellv known andas it is unnecessary to a proper understanding of the invention. l

In carryingout my invention I provide a carrier which is particularly clearly illustrated in Figure 6 and which may be described as of a general fork-like construction. This l carrier is designated .generally by the numer` al 1() and is represented as comprising a series of angular bars 11 of any preferred cross sectional shape and including normally horizontal arms 12 and normally vertical leg portions 13, the latter being angularly offset at their upper ends and secured to a transverse connecting bar 14 which constitutes the top element. The back of the carrier is formed by one or more metal plates 15 riveted or otherwise suitably secure d to the legs 13. The carrier is intended to be lift-ed about by any suitable hoisting device such as a derrick, crane or the like and the top member 14 is therefore equipped with rings or other similar suspension elements 16 within which, are engageable hooks 17 carried by hoisting cables 1S. These rings 16 are used when it is desired to carry a stack of bricks intact. If dumping is desired, the hooks 17 may be engaged with other rings 19 mounted on the carrier at the juncture of the legs 13 with the offset upper ends thereof. The location of the two sets of rings, or equivalent suspension elements, is such that their selective use permits changing the center of gravity of the load, for transporting a stack or dumping it as occasion may require.

As an added convenience, I may provide coil springs 2O engageable with the hooks 17 o-r other hoisting elements and with the rings 19. These springs are of insufficient strength to upset the center of gravity of the load when it is carried, as in Figure 2. rlhese springs will, however, operate to tilt the carrier into the position shown in Figure 6 when it is empty so that it may be more readily engaged beneath a stack to be lifted or withdrawn from engagement with a stack which has been transported to some place and deposited there.

In case the bricks are stacked upon a pallet, as is often the case, the carrier 10 may be used by itself in which event it is so manipulated as to bring the arms 12 under the pallet.y

When lifting power is then exerted by means of the cables it is of course clear that the pallet bearing the stack will be lifted.

Notwithstanding the above mentioned use of the carri-er alone, I have found it more advantageous to employ, in conjunction with it, a guide device most clearly illustrated in Figure 1' and indicated generally by the numeral 21, which guide device isrintended to be used in thoseinstances` where the stack rests upon auxiliary bricks, blocks or the like as indicated in Figures 1 to 5.' This guide is represented as comprising a plurality of trough shaped bars 22 spaced apart and connected at one end as by angular castings or bar sections 23 riveted or otherwise secured thereto. The bottoms of the free ends of the bars 22 are preferably upwardly inclined as at 24 to facilitate insertion beneath a stack A and between the auxiliary bricks or blocks B. This detailed construction is easily carried out by cutting away the side lianges of the bars 22 short of the ends of the bottom portions thereof so as to leave the tongues 24. Obviously, any equivalent detailed construction may be used if preferred. To facilitate manipulation, the guide device is preferably provided with handles 25 of any preferred detailed form.

In the use of the combination of the carrier and the guide, which is the preferred mode of employment, the stack is supported upon the rows of auxiliary bricks or blocks B. The guide device 21 may then be inserted beneath the stack by sliding the bars 22 between the rows of bricks B, the upturned tongues 24 acting as skids to facilitate this action and the device being moved by an operator holding the handles 25. If it is desired to make preparation for depositing a stack of bricks at a given spot, the guide device 21 may be first laid upon the ground or floor at this location, subsequently to which the auxiliary bricks B are arranged between the bars 22 as clearly illust-rated in Figure 4. In other words, it is immaterial whether the guide device be inserted beneath an already formed stack resting upon auxiliary bricks or whether it be used to effect proper spacing of the rows of auxiliary bricks. In either event, assuming that the guide device 21 is in proper position beneath a stack to be lifted, the carrier 10 is positioned adjacent the stack in an inclined position as shown in Figure 6, and is then maneuvered to bring the arms 12 into the bars 22 which will serve as guides for leading the arms to their proper positions with respect to the stack. Vhen the hoisting mechanism is then brought into play the arms of the carrier will engage against the bottom of the stack and will then lift it so that it may be carried intact, by means of a derrick, crane or the like, to some other location where it is to be deposited.

This is particularly useful when closely stacking bricks about a yard and when loading bricks onto trucks, cars, boats and the like. Then a stack is to be deposited it is Vnecessary to have auxiliary bricks properly spaced to support it as will of course be readily apparent. While the bricks are being carried, the stack is in slightly rearwardly inclined position as shown in Figure 2 with one side of the stack resting against the back 15. If no pallet is used the arms 12 engage direct-ly against the undersides of the bricks in the lowermost layer, but if a pallet is used, as shown at C in Figure 2, which pallet is initially supported by the auxiliary bricks B, the arms will engage against its underside.

T he springs 2O may be considered a fairly important feature as they hold the empty carrier in such a position as to facilitate its engagement beneath a stack while at the same time they have insuicient strength to upset the centerrof gravity of the loading carrier.

Then astack is deposited these springs will 1n ameasure assist 1n the operation of dis-v engaging the carrier from the stack as they tend to counterbalance the weight of the carrier and therefore enable it tol be moved with less effort. After a stack has been deposited and the carrier removed, the guide device 21 is likewise withdrawn so that it may be used in connection with another stack.

` In case the springs 2() are not used, or in case they are used and it isdesired to dump a stack, the hoisting hooks 17, or any other hoisting device may be connected with the rings 19 so that when the carrier is lifted its center of gravity will upset and discharge the stack.

From the foregoing description and a study of the dra-wings it will be apparent that I have thus provided an extremelyV simple c-ombination of apparatus or devices which will greatly facilitate the work of shifting bricks about from place to place in a yard or in loading them or unloading them onto or olf from vehicles, etc. 'Ihek risk of displacing anyy of the bricks and spoiling the symmetry of the stack is reduced to the minimum. Itis believed that theconstruction, operation and advantageswill be readily apparent to one skilled in the art without further explanation.

IVhile I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood that the disclosure is merely an exemplilication of the principles involved as the right is reserved to make all such changes in the details of construction as will widen the field of utility and increase the adaptability of the device provided such changes constitute no departure from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Having thus described the invention, I claim:

l. A brick stack handling hoist comprising a fork-like structure of substantially L-shape and including horizontal and vertical portions, the horizontal portion. being formed.

as aV plurality of arms adapted to engage beneath a stack of bricks and the vertical portion having a plate constituting a back against which the stack may rest when lifted, said vertical portion leading to an integral inclined upper portion of substantially the same width, suspension elements at the top of said inclined portion and other suspension elements at the juncture of said inclined poi'- tion with the vertical portion.

2. A brick stack handling hoist comprising a fork-like structure of substantially L-shape and including horizontal and vertical portions, the horizontal portion being formed as a plurality' of arms adapted to engage beneath a stack of bricks and the vertical portion constituting a back against which the stack may rest when lifted, said vertical portion leadingl to an inclined upper portion, suspension ele-.-

ments at the top of said inclined portion and at the juncture thereof with the vertical portion, suspension members connected with the rst named suspension elements, and springs connected with said suspension members and the second named suspension elements.

3. A device of the characterdescribed com prising a substantially L-shaped carrier com-l prising a plurality of angular bars having horizontal portions constituting arms engageable beneath a stack of bricks and having vertical portions terminating in inclined portions diverging with respect to the free ends of the arms, a plate secured to the vertical portions and constituting the back against which the stack may rest when lifted, means connecting said inclined portions, suspension means, and means whereby the suspension means may be connected with said inclined portions at selected points. Y

4. In a brick handling apparatus, the comelements, and a guide device disposable beneath the stack for receiving the individual arms thereupon for guiding said arms intol position beneath the stack.

5. In a brick handling apparatus, the combination of a carrier having a back portion and a plurality of arms adapted to engage beneath a brick stack mounted on supporting elements, and a guidevdevice disposable beneath the stack for guiding said arms into position beneath the stack, said guide device including spaced members along the top of which said arms may be slid, the spaces between said members accommodating the sup porting elements upon which the stackV is mounted.

6. In a brick handling apparatus, thecom.- bination of a fork-like carrier having a series of arms adapted to be engaged beneatha brick stack resting upon spaced supporting f means and a guide device independent of the supporting means disposable upon the floor or ground beneath the stack and including channel-bars secured in spaced relation and located between said supports, the armsof the carrier being adapted to be slid along said channel bars and to be guided thereby into positiony beneath the stack.

7. In ai brick handling apparatus, the comvthe'arms of the carrier being` adapted to be slid along said channel bars and to be guided thereby into positionbeneath the stack, said ICO channel bars being connected at one end by bracket members.

8. In a brick handling apparatus, the combination of a fork-like carrier having a series of arms adapted to be engaged beneath a brick stack resting upon spaced supports, and a guide device disposed beneath the stack and including channel bars secured in spaced relation and located between said supports, the arms of the carrier being adapted to be slid along said channel bars and to be guided thereby into position beneath the stack, said channel bars being connected at one end by bracket members and having their other ends free and provided with skids.

9. In a brick handling apparatus, the combination of a fork-like carrier having a series of arms adapted to be engaged beneath a brick stack resting upon spaced supports, and a guide device disposed beneath the stack and including channel bars secured in spaced relation and located between said supports, the arms of the carrier being adapted to be slid along said channel bars and to be guided thereby into position beneath the stack, said channel bars being connected at one end by bracket members, the other ends of the channel bars being free and formed with upturned tongues constituting skid shoes.

10. In a brick handling apparatus, the combination of a fork-like carrier having a series of arms adapted to be engaged beneath a brick stack resting upon spaced supports, a guide device disposed beneath the stack and including channel bars secured in spaced relation and located between said supports, the arms of the carrier being adapted to be slid along said channel bars and to be guided thereby int-o position beneath the stack, said channel bars being connected at one end by bracket members, handles at one end of the guide device, and skid tongues at the other end.

11. In a brick handling apparatus, the combination of a. carrier having a plurality of arms adapted to engage beneath a brick stack mounted en supporting means, and a guide device adapted to be disposed beneath said supporting means in spaced relation thereto and adapted to receive and guide the individual arms.

12. In a brick handling apparatus, the combination of a carrier having a plurality of arms adapt-ed to engage beneath a brick stack mounted on supporting means, and a guide device independent of the carrier and supporting means and disposable beneath the stack to occupy the spacesbeneath the supporting means for receiving and guiding said arms.

13. In a brick handling apparatus, the combination of a carrier having a plurality of arms adapted to engage beneath a brick stack mounted on supporting means, and a guide device independent of the carrier and supporting means and disposable beneath the stack to occupy the spaces beneath the supporting meansfor receiving and guiding said arms in partially enclosing relation thereto.

14. A guide device disposable beneath a stack of bricks and including a plurality of channel bars arranged in spaced relation, bracket members connecting said channel bars at one end.

15. A guide device disposable beneath a stack of bricks and including a plurality of channel bars arranged in spaced relation, bracket members connecting said channel bars at one end, the other ends of the channel bars being free and provided with upwardly curved skids.

16. A guide device disposable beneath a brick stack, comprising a series of channel bars arranged with their open sides upwardly and located in spaced relation, means in nonobstructing relation to the open sides of said channel bars securing them together at one end, and handle means for said end of the guide device.

17. A guide device disposable beneath a brick stack, comprising a series of channel bars arranged in spaced relation with their open sides up, bracket members secured to and connecting said channel bars at one end in non-obstructing relation to the open sides thereof, and upwardly curved tongues at the other ends of the channel bars constituting skids.

18. A guide device disposable beneath a brick stack, comprising a series of channel bars arranged in spaced relation with their open sides up. Bracket members secured to and connecting said channel bars at one end in non-obstructing relation to the open sides thereof, and upwardly curved tongues at the other ends of the channel bars constituting skids, said tongues being formed integrally with the lower sides of the channel bars.

19. A guide device disposable beneath a stack of bricks, comprising a series of channel bars located in spaced relation and arranged with their open sides up, means located entirely between andV connecting said channel bars at one end, and handle members carried by said means.

In testimony whereof I aftix my signature.

ROBERT A. FONTAINE. 

